Chapter 4

AYALA

It was finally the day of my interview and I was drop-dead nervous, I tried to beat my reputation of always being late and make it before the time scheduled for the interview, which was 8:30 and it was so hard doing this. I managed to be there by 7:45 to see 14 people already waiting, making me the 15…ugh, people just have to be so punctual.

The interview started at 8:30 prompt, and it was obvious that time was really of key importance to the firm. The assistant secretary came out and let the first 20 further, promising the numbers that fell below that of the 20th that they would get a mail, I couldn't be happier for my punctuality at this.

The people beside me all seemed to be of middle class standards in the society and the all looked really prepared with made me more anxious than ever, I didn't want to lose this. The first person went in and came out in no time, so did the the next five after him and it made me genuinely scared, the interviewer must be brutal I thought because they all came out with saf faces and I could have sworn to see tears on the eyes of two girls that walked out of the room.

What shocked me was when the 11th applicant stood up, she was dressed scantily with fake designers which bothered me how real they looked, and oozed if confidence I wished to have. She was a red haired, really skinny, not so tall, about my height, 5’4, I think, but regardless, she still looked good. I found myself praying the interviewer was a straight woman, and when I looked at the faces of the people around me, I was sure we all had thesame prayer.

If I thought the first five persons left the office fast, hers was faster, which made me really relived. It was my turn and I had to rub my palms against my skirt because it had gotten really sweaty. I tried to muster enough confidence to get myself up from the seat and walk to the door, never in my life would I have pictured myself in this situation, I, Ayala Shomer applying for a job, if I was told this a year ago, I would have a hearty laugh at it, but well, this is my new life I guess.

I walked into the office and at the sight of the man behind the desk, I nearly tripped, Vladimir Igor! I knew this was Igor Inc, which was the biggest building in all of manhattan, but never would I have guessed that I was applying to work for him. 

I took a deep breath and worked further as a offfered me the chair opposite to him.

“A Shomer applying for the work of a secretary…interesting. Sounds pretty desperate to me “, I fought the urge to work out of the office immediately he said that, but I couldn't, I was doing this for myself. 

“I am just here for the job experience “ I lied, which I later realized was dumb because I was sure, he too knew about Papa company's recent declaration.

“ well, Miss Shomer, I am not looking for one in need of experience, I am looking for someone with experience. Thank you for your time, you may leave”.

Old me, would have walked out, but I was currently in need of the pay, and I wasn't ready to take defeat as my verdict.

“Waitttt, I may have been untruthful with reasons, but I do assure you, I am the best option you have”, my boldness shocked and I don't know if what I saw on his face was a shocked look, but it was obvious, he wasn't expecting that from me either. Then he smiled, “So tell me how you are the best, I've interviewed people with very impressive qualifications, how are you any better? because I know for without a doubt, you've never worked or earned for yourself” he said. I didn't know how I was better than any of the rest if I was being truthful and he wasn't wrong, I have neither worked nor earned for myself except the one time I interned at my papa's company…yes! I can use thattt…

“I may not have worked, I had interned at the Shomer’s Enterprise and I am very knowledgeable on the nichè of business along side the fact that I majored in business in school, though I'm sure most of those who came for the interview also majored either in business or in finance, what makes me better is my mindset. I hate to fail and I believe in perfection ”.

I'm sure I had really outdone myself as I said that because I saw the impressed look on the face. “ okay, I'll give you the job, however you'll take the position of a secretary and personal assistant”, he said, I hesitated at the hearing of “ personal assistant “, I had, had one before and I sure did stress her, this definitely was not what I planned for. Just as if he read my mind “with double the pay of course and a personal driver to convey you “ he said before I could reply.  My eyes glistened as I heard this, “Sure” was all I could mutter as my smile reached my eyes.

He proceeded to call the company's secretary to dismiss all those waiting for their turn, though I felt pity they didn't have the chance to be heard, I was also slightly happy that the chance of interviewing another better than me had been blocked. 

“You begin on Monday he said” the told the secretary to show me around.

The company was really big, bigger than that of our family, and ours was really big. My office was just in front of his and it was was stylish, well-organized, it had a space with a high-end executive desk, an ergonomic chair, and plenty of storage.  It had a soft white lighting, tasteful artwork, and a small plant beside the door with a computer with dual monitors and a high-quality printer. My office was tasteful, but it was just a fraction of his which had, floor-to-ceiling windows offering killer views of the city, minimalist decor with pops of modern art, and sleek, ergonomic furniture. An open layout with glass-walled private offices, and a state-of-the-art coffee bar, it was really sleek.

As I was about to leave, I bumped into a slender blonde with icy blue eyes, turned to the secretary, her face denoting the question “who is she?” without even saying it, “She's the new P.A to Mr Vladmir, ma’am” the secretary said, the slender blonde stretched her hand to me for a handshake, “and, I'm his girlfriend “ she said without being asked, stared me down, held her nose high and walked out

What was that about?…. I thought..

VLADMIR

Dad called again, as he had done severally over the past days, I decided to pick this time to get it over with 

“ You finally picked, you can't keep avoiding to meet me, I want to know the reason you decided to bring a fall to Shomer Enterprises “ was all dad said before ending the call…